The Iron Bowl of Basketball has gone biblical.
Tensions in the Alabama–Auburn rivalry have been rising this season. After the Crimson Tide fought for former G-Leaguer Charles Bediako to be eligible for the 2025-26 college basketball season, ex-Auburn coach Bruce Pearl had some sharp criticism for Alabama coach Nate Oats.
Pearl said Oats was “selfish” and “wrong” to bring Bediako back from the pro ranks midseason. Bediako was ultimately ruled ineligible for college basketball after a Tuscaloosa judge denied an injunction that would have allowed him to keep playing college basketball.
On Monday, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne was asked about Pearl’s comments toward Oats.
“The Bible says, ‘he who is without sin shall cast the first stone,'” Byrne told John Canzano in an interview. “And so I try to do my best … I’m not perfect at it but I try to do my best to live within those parameters.”
Canzano followed up asking if he’s saying Pearl “has some sins.”
“We all do,” Byrne added. “The longer you’re in this world, it doesn’t matter, you’re dealing with 650 young people, you’re dealing with 350 employees, you’re dealing with a lot of fans that are passionate about college sports. You’re going to have challenges. That’s part of it.”
Here’s a clip featuring Pearl’s initial comments and Byrne’s response:
Pearl does have a lengthy history with alleged NCAA infractions dating back to his time at Tennessee.
Alabama defeated Auburn 96-92 on the Plains earlier this month. The Tigers will make the trip to Tuscaloosa to close out the regular season on March 7.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
